This story begins along time ago before Kristen and Greta were ever a part of John and Marlena’s lives. In fact Marlena hasn’t even married Roman yet and Sami, Eric, Brady, and Belle aren’t even born. I hope you enjoy this story.
Due to many requests I have changed the song on this page to Reba’s “Forever Love”. I know it is not the best recording but it was the only one I could find.
Chapter One- The Beginning of the End
Chapter 1- The Beginning of the End
This New Year’s Day had not at all been what Dr. Marlena Evans expected. She had expected to spend the day cuddled up in front of the fire with her fiancee. Instead she had spent the last twelve hours observing a suicidal patient.
Detective Roman Brady of the Salem PD had finally summoned the nerve to ask her on Christmas Eve. They had been dating seriously for over year. Since Christmas Eve, however, they had barely seen each other. Roman had left Christmas Day to visit his daughter Carrie, who lived with his first wife Anna, in Los Angeles. Once he had returned they were both so swamped with work they were either too busy or too tired to see each other.
All Marlena wanted to do was go home, take a hot bath, climb in bed with a good book and let nature take it’s course. She, however, had let her friend Dr. Neil Curtis rope her into seeing one more patient. Marlena poured herself a cup of coffee and looked over the case file.
Caucasian, Male, 6’2”, 180 lbs. brown hair, blue eyes. Yadda, yadda, yadda, Marlena thought as she scanned the file. He had come into the hospital with minor abrasions and a nasty gash on his forehead. He had no identification and had not said a word to anyone. Neil thought it might help if she talked to him so she said she’d give it a shot.
She walked into Exam Room 4 and had to force herself not to gasp. Never in her life had she seen a man so gorgeous. Sure Roman was good-looking but this man was a god. Cool it Marlena, she thought, this man is a patient.
“Excuse me sir. My name is Dr. Marlena Evans. How are you feeling today.”
When he did not respond Marlena moved closer to him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. As if he’d been struck by lightening the mans head snapped up. They were now staring into each others eyes. Speechless.
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She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her golden hair glistened even under the harsh fluorescent lights and her green eyes had just a hint of gold in them. He suddenly realized she was speaking to him.
“Sir, can you hear me? I am Dr. Evans.”
He finally found his voice. “Yes Dr. Evans, I can hear you.”
“Well it’s good to know you can speak. Let me ask you some questions. First of all, what is your name?”
There was no way he could tell her his real name. He searched the room frantically for a clue to a name he could use. His eyes fell on the case file she held against her chest. There on the line for name was John Doe.
“Uh, John. My name is John.”
“Well John, it’s nice to meet you. Do you have a last name?”
Again his eyes searched the room for something. They rested on his t-shirt draped across the back of a chair. “Black. John Black.”
“John Black? You’re sure?”
“I think I know my own name Dr. Evans.”
“Very well. Age?”
Twenty eight and counting.”
“Can you tell me how you were hurt?”
“Wrecked my car. I walked to the hospital.”
“Ok Mr. Black. I think you are going to be fine. Unless Dr. Curtis sees a reason to admit you I see no reason why you shouldn’t be out of here within the hour.”
She turned to leave but John grabbed her arm. He pulled her toward him and then captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
Marlena gave into the kiss for a few moments before pulling away. “How dare you!”
“I’m sorry Dr. Evans. It was impulse. It’ll never happen again.”
“You’re right it won’t.” She left the room to return his file to Neil still feeling the warmth and taste of his lips on hers. It was time for her to go home.
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Marlena unlocked the door to her modest apartment and saw a fire burning in her small fireplace. Roman was waiting for her in front of it among the pillows he had spread around. As she sat down next to him he handed her a glass of champagne.
“Welcome home Marlena. Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year Roman.”
He smiled as he leaned in to kiss her. As their lips touched Marlena flashed back to the touch of a tall, dark, muscular strangers lips on hers. She gasped as she pulled out of Roman’s embrace.
“Marlena is something wrong?”
“I’m so sorry Roman. I’m just tired. I hate to do this but can I get a raincheck?”
“Sure. Are you sure you are ok?”
“I’m fine. I just need some rest.”
“Ok I’ll see you tomorrow honey.”
After Roman left Marlena fell into a fitful sleep in front of the fire. Her dreams were filled with conflict. Sweet, gentle, loving Roman was pulling her one way. The dark, passionate, and no doubt dangerous stranger pulling the other direction.
Chapter Two- Private Parties
It had been over a week since Marlena had met John Black and finally the stranger was nothing more than a fleeting thought in her mind. Today she was shopping at Salem Place for the perfect gown to wear to the party she and Roman were throwing that night. They were going to announce their engagement to forty of their family and closest friends.
Marlena smiled at the thought of her parent’s and sister’s faces when they spilled the beans. She was going to the airport to pick them all up later. Her parents were flying in from their home in Colorado. Her sister was coming in from New York where she worked in advertising. This was going to be the first time Frank and Martha Evans would see their twin daughters in over two years and Marlena had heard the excitement in her mother’s voice the last time they had spoken. Marlena looked at her watch and jumped. She had to get cracking if she was going to make it to the airport on time.
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John walked through Salem Place looking for a good clothing shop. He passed by a dress shop and glanced in the window on the off chance they might carry men’s clothing. He stopped dead in his tracks. There she stood. The most gorgeous woman John had ever laid on trying on a sexy little black dress that accented every luscious curve on her body.
He watched her go back into the dressing room. John bought a paper and sat on the bench outside the store. He kept one eye on the newspaper and the other glued to the store window. He watched her come out of the dressing room wearing a nice but not particularly expensive gray suit and go to the register to pay for the dress she had just tried on. She picked up her dress and left the store. When she left the store she went in the opposite direction of where John was sitting. He dropped his paper and tried to catch up with her.
“What’s up Doc?”
“Excuse me?” Marlena said as she turned. When she saw who it was her heart jumped.
“I said, what’s up Doc?”
“Oh hello Mr. Black. How are you feeling?”
“I’m great. Would you like to get a cup of coffee?”
“Listen, I am on a tight schedule today and I really need to get going. Sorry.”
“That is a very pretty dress you have there. Big plans tonight?”
“Actually I’m going to a party at Chez Vous tonight.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of that place. French, right? So is this a private party or is anyone invited?”
“Oh it’s private. It was nice to see you again. I hope you enjoy your stay in Salem.”
John watched as Marlena sauntered off. “Don’t worry Doc. I’m enjoying my stay more and more every day.”
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All of the other guests had already arrived when Roman and Marlena arrived with Frank, Martha, and Samantha in tow. Marlena and Samantha both watched in amusement at peoples reactions. People who never knew Marlena was a twin or had never seen them together always had looks of amazement the first time.
Roman and Marlena introduced everyone and then went off to enjoy the party together. The party was just getting into full swing when John showed up wearing a new tuxedo and looking extremely handsome.
John walked up to the bar or sat down and ordered a scotch on the rocks. As he waited for his drink he surveyed the crowd. He did not see a single person he knew. In fact John was willing to bet that Dr. Evans was the only person he knew in town. He could hardly believe he had actually started taking steps to make Salem his permanent home.
The bartender handed John his drink and he began to wander through the crowd. He searched for five minutes before he finally saw her. she was standing alone looking out at the pale moonlight. John made his way up behind her.
“What’s up Doc?”
“Excuse me?” She said as she turned.
“Whoa, talk about your dejavou. I said, what’s up Doc?”
“Do I know you?”
“Yeah, I’m John Black. From Salem Place earlier today. You treated me in the ER earlier this week.”
“Oh, you must be looking for Marlena. I’m her sister Samantha.”
John was amazed at their physical resemblance but he could see a difference. There was something missing in Samantha’s eyes. “Wow! You too look so much…”
“Alike? Identical twins do tend to favor. I believe the woman you are looking for is right over there.”
John followed Samantha’s direction and saw Marlens standing across the room in the hot little black number he’d seen her in earlier on the arm of a man. John sized the man up carefully. He was about two inches shorter than Marlena, light brown hair, descent build. The thing that assured John that this wasn’t a romantic relationship was Marlena’s body language. He had to be a friend who simply agreed to be an escort.
While he was sizing them up Marlena saw him, excused himself, and headed his direction. John smiled when he saw her coming his way but his smile quickly fell when she did not return the gesture. She looked angry.
“What are you doing here?”
“I felt like a party.”
“This is enough, Mr. Black. I forgave you for kissing me at the hospital, and I made small talk at Salem Place even though I was very busy but this is a private party. You have no right to be here.”
“Oh, I have every right to be here.”
“You do, do you? And what gives you that idea?”
“Because as of forty-five minutes ago you are looking at the new owner of Chez Vous Restaurant: Fine French Cuisine.”
Chapter Three- Shocking Announcements
Marlena stared at John in disbelief. Had she heard him wrong or was it really possible that she was actually going to be living in the same town as this stranger who took her feelings and twisted them every time she saw him. It was a new feeling for the usually level headed Marlena. She had never been so instantly attracted to anyone in her whole life. She did realize, however, that she had to start letting her head do the thinking and not her heart. For her and Roman’s sake.
“Don’t look so shocked, Marlena. I saw a business opportunity and I took it.”
“Why, though? I was under the impression that you were just passing through Salem when you had your accident.”
“Well, I was in away. I was searching for a place to start a new life. I see my accident as a sign that maybe I should stay right here in Salem.”
“So you just buy a restaurant?”
“So I just bought a restaurant.” John said smugly.
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Roman had been watching his fiancee talking to this man he had never seen before from a distance. The stranger was definitely handsome and he definitely had a keen interest in Marlena. When Roman saw the conversation get a bit heated he made his way through the crowd toward them.
“Is everything ok, Marlena?”
“Yes, everything is just fine. There is somebody I’d like for you to meet. Detective Roman Brady meet John Black.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Black. Are you knew in town?”
“Please call me John. Yes actually I am new in town.”
“That’s great John. If you don’t mind my asking, how do you know Marlena?”
“Well actually, I had a minor accident last week and we met at the hospital.”
“And she invited you to the party?”
“No she did not.” John said nonchalantly.
“So why are you here? It is a private party.” Roman said sternly.
“He owns the restaurant, Roman.” Marlena interjected.
“Huh?” Roman asked dumfounded. This was definitely not the man he had talked to about renting the place for the evening.
“It’s true. I bought it earlier this evening.”
“How interesting.” Roman eyed him narrowly. He did not trust John Black for a second.
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John watched from the bar as Roman led Marlena from group to group of their friends. He was treating her like a damn dog and John was getting angry. Just as he was about to go give him a piece of his mind Roman led Marlena up to the makeshift stage set up for the evening. He handed her a glass of champagne and then took a fork and tapped it against his glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Excuse me everyone but this will only take a second. If you will, I’d like everyone to get a glass of champagne.”
John grabbed a glass from a waiter that was passing by. He stood up so he could watch the action better.
“Does everyone have a glass? Good, good. Now I have an announcement to make. I am happy to announce that the beautiful Marlena Evans has agreed to become my wife.”
John sat back down with a thud as a roar erupted from the crowd. John sat his champagne glass on the bar and pushed it away.
“Hey bartender, I’m going to need something stronger than this. Make it a scotch on the rocks.” He turned back in time to see the happy couple kissing. “You better make that a double.”
Chapter Four- Therapy
John glanced at his appearance in the mirror. He had to admit he looked good. He was wearing freshly pressed chinos with a starched denim button down shirt that accented his blue eyes, and a pair of Cole Hahn loafers. His freshly cut hair completed the look.
He couldn’t believe he was about to do what he was planning. This was stooping pretty low, even for him, to get into the good graces of a woman. This, however, was no ordinary woman. John had known, from the moment he had laid eyes on her that she was the “one”.
After drowning his sorrows in scotch after Marlena’s party last week, and waking up with a HUGE headache the next morning, John had decided to pull out all the stops to win Marlena over. It was apparent to him, if not to Marlena, that Roman Brady was totally wrong for her and he was the perfect one.
John checked his hair one more time before grabbing his keys off his bedside table. It was time to go win his “Doc’s” heart.
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“You have to work again?” Marlena asked exasperated. “Yes, I realize you are a cop, Roman but do you have to work all the time? I just thought that after the holiday rush that you could cut back and we could spend some time being happily engaged.” Marlena listened to Roman on the other end of the line for a few moments all the while massaging her forehead. “Fine, Roman when you can mange the time for us you know where to find me.”
Marlena slammed the phone into it’s cradle on the verge of screaming. Just as a solitary tear slipped down her cheek her secretary buzzed her to tell her that her next patient was waiting.
“All right Joanie. Give me about two minutes and then send him in.” Marlena slipped into the bathroom off her office and wiped the tear stains from her face and re-applied her lipstick.
She was just re-entering the room when John stepped in from the waiting room. Marlena tried to hide her visible shock from him. “Mr. Black…. John, what are you doing here? I’m expecting a patient and really can’t talk at the moment.”
“Well, Doc, I suggest you take a moment to talk to me. In fact, considering the amount of money I dished out for one session you better take several moments to talk to me.”
“What?” Marlena asked bewildered.
John flashed her a radiant smile that made his eyes sparkle and her heart skip a beat. “That’s right, Dr. Evans, I’m your new patient. You ready to fix what ails me?”
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Marlena walked into her apartment, dropped her briefcase at the door, and collapsed onto the couch exhausted from a hectic day. She was just beginning to drift off to sleep when the phone started ringing. She eyed the phone from across the room contemplating not answering it. Finally, after several more rings, she drug herself off the couch and made her way across the room.
“Hello?”
“Geez, Marlena. What took you so long to answer?”
Marlena tensed at the sound of Roman’s voice. “I’m sorry Roman. I was sleeping.”
“Oh, well I just called to ask why you were angry on the phone earlier today.”
“Forget it Roman. I just had a bad day. I was very over booked plus I had a board meeting. I got a new patient today. Guess who.”
“I don’t know. Who?”
Marlena rolled her eyes at Roman’s unwillingness to play along with her. “John Black.”
“The guy from the party?” Roman asked with an edge.
“Yeah, why?”
“Maybe you should refer him to someone else. I think he is more interested in you than he should be.”
“Don’t be ridiculous Roman. He has some real problems and I can help him.”
“ Damnit, Marlena. No. I don’t want you to see him again. Personally or professionally.”
“Listen Roman, just because we are engaged does not give you the right to dictate who I can and can’t see. Don’t call back until you figure that out.” She slammed the phone down so hard that two champagne flutes she and Roman had saved from the engagement party rolled off the table and crashed onto the floor shattering. It’s a good thing I don’t believe in signs, she thought as she cleaned up the mess, because this certainly can’t be good.
Chapter Five – Misunderstandings
John stood outside the door to Marlena’s apartment gathering the nerve to knock when he heard a loud crash followed by a sob from Marlena. All hesitance left his mind and he knocked swiftly needing to see that she was ok. A moment later Marlena opened the door and tried to hide her shock at seeing John at her front door.
“Hello John. What are you doing here?”
“Oh hi Doc. I was just stopping by to……..” His voice trailed off as he noticed blood running down her hand. With swift movements John stepped inside, deposited his coat, and grasped her bleeding hand. “God, Doc, you’re bleeding. What happened?”
“Oh, I was just cleaning up some broken glass and must have cut myself.”
“Do you have a first aide kit? I’ll help you clean it up.”
“I would appreciate it. The first aide kit is on the top shelf of the hall closet.”
John retrieved the kit and soon began ministering aide to her wounds. He gently cleansed the wound and put medicine on the area. Soon her hand was neatly bandaged.
“Wow, John, I’m impressed. This looks professional. Are you sure you aren’t a doctor?”
“Oh Doc, anyone can put a bandaid on someone. It takes a truly remarkable person to heal the matters of the heart and you do it every day. I’ve never before met anyone like you and I feel privileged just to be in your presence.”
Marlena blushed at John’s kind words. “John that is so sweet of you to say. Thank you.” Their eyes met and locked in a gaze so intense that neither saw the figure standing in the doorway.
“What the hell is going on here?”
The spell that had woven itself between John and Marlena’s eyes and hearts was broken. They both looked in the direction of the voice. Marlena’s face turned white and she swallowed hard. “Roman, what are you doing here?”
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Roman could not believe his eyes or his ears. Here was a complete stranger in his fiancee’s apartment and she wanted to know what he was doing there. He couldn’t have covered the contempt in his voice even if he tried.
“What am I doing here? I came to see my fiancee. I think the more appropriate question would be what is doing here and why do you two seem so cozy?”
“Calm down, Roman. John is here because….. well I’m not sure why John is here. We haven’t gotten that far yet. As for our “coziness” John was simply helping me bandage my hand because I cut it on some glass just before he got here. Is that good enough for you? Not that I feel the need to defend myself to you.”
“I don’t know Marlena. Why don’t we ask the man of the hour. So, Mr. Black, what exactly brings you here this evening?”
John stood up from where he had been sitting on Marlena’s couch. No matter how horrible his father had been as a rolemodel one thing he had taught John was to always look a bully in the eye. Roman Brady was definitely a bully and John could not believe Marlena was in love with the guy.
“Well, I actually came by to drop off a file I must have accidentally picked up when I left Marlena’s office today.”
The thought of John being alone with Marlena in her office mad Roman seethe. :So why didn’t you just take the file back to her office?”
John was quickly becoming annoyed. “I did, but Marlena was already gone and I was afraid she might need it tomorrow. Before you ask, I would have just taken it to her office in the morning but I have an early meeting with my suppliers in Manhattan.”
“Well, I’m sure she appreciates it but now we would like to be alone.” Roman handed John his jacket and all but shoved him out the door. “Dr. Evans will see you at your next appointment.” Roman slammed the door behind John and a smug smile formed on his lips. It soon faded when he turned and saw Marlena glaring at him with rage in her eyes.
“How dare you! Who do you think you are?”
Chapter Six – A Friendship Grows
Roman could not believe Marlena was acting like this. He had caught her snuggled up to a man other than him and she had the nerve to act like he was some sort of barbarian.
“Who do I think I am? I catch my fiancee snuggled up to another man and I’m the one who is being questioned. It amazes me that no matter what happens you always find some reason to blame me. Why is that Marlena?”
“You know what amazes me Roman? That you can bury your head so deep in the sand and still be able to breath. You can’t seriously think something is going on between John and me. He was bandaging my hand for God’s sake!!!”
“Was your hand so bad that you couldn’t have bandaged it yourself? I don’t think so.”
“Roman, you are incredible. All John was doing was helping me. Believe me if something was going on between John and me I would tell you. I wouldn’t lead you on like that. We are engaged Roman!”
“I know we are engaged Marlena. Believe me I’ll be paying for that ring forever so how could I forget? I just don’t know why you won’t set a date if you really aren’t falling for John.”
“I won’t set a date because I am too busy, not because of John Black. And I’m sorry getting this ring for me has caused you such a financial burden.” Marlena said taking the ring off and handing it to Roman. “Take it and get your money back. I think we need to take a break from this relationship anyway.”
“Are you breaking up with me Marlena?”
“I’m not breaking up. I just think we should take some time apart to reevaluate our feelings.” Marlena led Roman to the door where she kissed him one last time. “I do love you Roman.”
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John sat in his hotel room wondering how it was possible that Marlena could stay with Roman. He knew she loved Roman but it was obvious to him that it was a misguided love. He had seen first hand what loving the totally wrong person could do to a person. Now it was up to him to stop Marlena from making the same mistake.
John picked up the phone on the bedside table and dialed Marlena’s home number. When she answered she sounded upset and John almost hung up. “Uh….. hello. Hi Doc, it’s John. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time.”
“A bad time? Translation. Is Roman still here? No John, Roman isn’t here. If you don’t mind my asking, why are you calling?”
“I don’t know Doc. I just felt like talking to you. So how about this weather?”
“You’re calling to check up on me aren’t you John? Well you don’t have to worry. Everything is under control. Roman and I have decided to take a break from our relationship for awhile.” John wondered if he had heard Marlena correctly. This was great. Maybe, just maybe he would finally get his foot in the door. “I thought you sounded a little bit down. Are you going to be ok?”
“Oh John, I’ll be fine. I’m strong and I will survive.”
“Well, if that’s the case, how about we meet somewhere for a cup of coffee?”
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Marlena sat in the booth at The Stomping Grounds, a small coffee house down the street from her apartment, waiting for John to show up. She could not believe she had agreed to go out for coffee with him, especially after all the hell she had gone through because of him. When John entered the coffee house and made his way toward her Marlena realized she could not stay angry at him.
“Hello John” Marlena said as John sat down across the table from her.
“Hiya Doc. Tell me the truth. Are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I guess Roman and I really needed some time. I am going to need the support of friends. You up to it?”
John looked up into Marlena’s face shocked. “Uh Doc, I’d love to be there for you, to be your friend but wouldn’t that put you in an awkward position with me being your patient?”
“I see your point. I guess it would be a conflict of interest for you to be my patient and my friend. That’s assuming you are still my patient. I’ve had a sneaking suspicion ever since our session that you were simply trying to worm your way into my life. Am I right?”
John looked at Marlena sheepishly. “Guilty. Are you terribly angry at me?”
“No John. Of course not. In fact it is flattering. Besides I like you and it will be nice to have a friend that is just mine and not Roman’s too.”
“I’m glad. So do you have plans for tomorrow Doc?” John asked.
“Not anymore. Why?”
“Well, I’ve decided to find something more permanent than my suite at Salem Inn. You up to helping me look?”
“What about your meeting with your suppliers tomorrow in Manhattan?”
“Oh, that was just something I made up to try to calm Roman down. I guess it didn’t work.”
“Well, thanks for trying. I’d love to go with you tomorrow and I’ll even fix supper at my place afterward.”
John smiled at Marlena and then finished his coffee. “Sounds like a deal. I’ll pick you up at 10 am.” Then John squeezed Marlena’s hand and headed for the door feeling more carefree than he had in a long time.
Chapter Seven – Doc and her Good Guy with a Capitol G
Marlena pulled her hair up in a neat ponytail and then checked her appearance in the mirror. She could not believe she had spent so much time getting ready for her day with John but there she stood looking better than any woman who just called off her engagement should be. She was wearing khaki Dockers with a tucked in white t-shirt and over that she wore a red button down shirt that she had tied around her waist. Brown mule sandals, a silver beaded necklace, and silver hoop earrings completed her look. Just as she finished applying her lipstick the doorbell rang.
Marlena opened the door and hoped that the sharp intake of breath she had taken at John’s appearance hadn’t been noticeable to him. He looked wonderful in just tight enough blue jeans and a dark green short sleeved shirt. Marlena smiled at him and let him into her apartment.
“I’ve got bagels, juice and coffee Doc. We’ve got a long day ahead of us so I figured I would get us off to a good start.”
“Mmm. Sounds great. We’ll have breakfast, then we can go look at some places, and then we can rent a movie and come back here for supper. I’m fixing Italian, is that ok?”
“I love Italian. Now shut up and eat so we can get down to business.”
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Marlena sat at a table at the outdoor cafe at Salem Place while John got them coffee and pie. They had been that perfect place for John to move into but hadn’t found anything yet. Marlena never knew a man could be so picky about where he lived. Roman certainly wasn’t but John sure was. John could tell she was getting exasperated so he had suggested a coffee and pie break.
“Here ya go Doc. One coconut creme for you and a key lime for me. I don’t know how you can eat that coconut crap. It’s disgusting.” John said as he sat down across the table from Marlena, pushing her pie to her.
“You, my friend, are way too picky.”
“Picky! Me? I don’t think so.” John exclaimed. “I can’t believe you would say such a thing.”
“Oh please John!” Marlena laughed. “It’s not just the pie I am talking about here. We have looked at fifteen different apartments and you have found something wrong with each of them. One was too expensive, one too cheap, one was too big, another one too small. One didn’t have enough light and another one was too bright. I mean seriously John, you turned one down because the electrical outlets were in the wrong place. I hope you like your room at Salem Inn because from the looks of things you’re going to be there awhile.”
Hearing Marlena tell him how he was acting amused him and John began to laugh. Marlena joined him for a few moments and then stopped abruptly. John was just going to ask her why she’d stopped laughing when a voice behind him answered his question for him.
“Well, well, well. It sure didn’t take you long to move in on my fiancee did it Black?” Roman said, pleasuring in the tension he saw form in John’s back at the sound of his voice. “As for you Marlena, I expected you to at least wait twenty-four hours after ending our relationship before hooking-up with another man.”
“First of all Roman, I’m not “hooked-up” with John. He is just a friend. Secondly, I didn’t end our relationship. I just think we need some time to ourselves. Finally, and I don’t know why I am defending myself to you, I’m simply helping John find an apartment.”
“I should have known you’d be sticking around Black. I hope you two find a place big enough for a king sized bed. I want you to have plenty of room when you are sleeping together.” Roman replied angrily.
In an instant John was eye to eye with Roman speaking to him in a heated whisper. “Listen buddy, get off Marlena’s back. God only knows why, but she loves you. If you want to save any chance you might have with her I suggest you go now. NOW!”
Roman turned and walked away without a word while John sat down wondering what he had just done. Marlena smile a sad smile at him. “Thank you for defending me John but there was really no need.”
“No problem Doc, just consider me your Good Guy with a capitol G.”
The Jarlena Journal 